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Chickens

Aurora city ordinances allow up to six hens per single-family residential property of up to 20,000 square feet, and up to eight hens on single-family residential property of more than 20,000 square feet. The ordinance requires a permit before any chickens are allowed on the property. Download a copy of the permit application form.

Questions & Answers

When can I get chickens?
You can have chickens once your permit application is processed and approved. The application process is quick and easy, and most people have their permit approved in a matter of minutes when they bring the completed form to the permit counter (second floor) in the Aurora Municipal Center. Chickens may not be legally kept in any residential area before a permit for the property is approved.

Can anyone get chickens?
Permits will only be awarded to people living in single-family residences. If renting, a signed consent from the property owner is needed before a permit will be issued. Homeowner associations (HOAs) can prohibit chickens according to their bylaws. It is recommended you check with your HOA before applying for a permit.

How do I obtain a permit?

Create a drawing of your backyard, including the fence lines and your house. Draw where you intend to locate your chicken coop and the hens' outdoor enclosure. Include the approximate dimensions of the coop and outdoor pen in your drawing. Indicate the distance the coop is from the fence lines.

The coop must be at least 15 feet from neighbors. You must obtain written consent from any neighbor closer than 15 feet from the chicken coop. If you rent, written consent from the property owner or landlord must be obtained before a permit will be issued.

Bring your drawing, and written consent from neighbors or landlord if required, to the permit counter in the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, second floor, Room 2400.

Pay the one-time permit fee of $40.

A permit may be revoked for conviction in municipal court of violating city ordinances closely related to keeping chickens (animal-related ordinances, fencing ordinances, etc.).

How many chickens can I have? Once a permit is obtained, a maximum of six (6) hens may be kept on property of up to 20,000 square feet, and a maximum of eight (8) hens may be kept on property of more than 20,000 square feet. Roosters are not allowed. Hens of other species are not allowed (i.e., pea fowl hens, guinea fowl hens, others).

What are the requirements for a chicken coop?

Hens must be provided with a covered, predator-resistant chicken coop that:

Provides at least 2 square feet of space per hen.

Has floor space no larger than 120 square feet in size.

Is properly ventilated and designed to be easily accessed, cleaned and maintained.

Is located next to an enclosed fenced area that is at least 6 square feet in size to allow the hens to be outdoors during the day. The fence must adequately protect them from predators.

Chicken coops and enclosures must be kept neat and sanitary at all times. They must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent offensive odors or excessive buildup of chicken waste.

What are the requirements for maintaining my chickens?

During daylight hours, the hens must have access to the chicken coop and the outdoor enclosure.

Hens must be secured inside the coop from dusk to dawn.

Hens must be sheltered or confined to keep them from running at large.

Chickens must be prevented from coming into contact with wild ducks or geese or their excrement.

Owners must maintain their chickens in accordance with city standards of humane care for animals. Sec. 14-13 Humane Care

Chickens may not be slaughtered in residential areas.

Example of a chicken nesting box

The Aurora Animal Services Division recommends people interested in raising chickens research the topic before applying for a permit and obtaining their hens.